European middleweight champion Max Bursak also easily made the weight – 158,9 pounds (72,10kg) – with his opponent, Prince Arron, coming in at 159,3 pounds (72,30kg).

The weigh-in was graced by the presence of WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, who was warmly received by the crowd gathered outside the grand Monte Carlo Casino.

Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman revealed he had held talks with K2 Promotions’ Tom Loeffler about the possibility of hosting Golovkin’s next title defence in South Africa in September. “The possibility looks excellent,” said Berman. “He’s a superstar and I would be delighted to bring him down there.”

Big fight announcer Michael Buffer was also in attendance.

Looking ahead to Saturday night’s Super Four final, for which the winner will pocket $600 000, Rodriguez said he was looking forward to putting on a show.

“I boxed here in March, so there won’t be any surprises. I’ve worked on a few things and I’m ready to go. I love being active and the Grachev fight represents the biggest, most important of my career. I won’t disappoint my fans. I’ve come too far to lose.”